Learn how to make a barnwood pallet sign with just paint and stain. Our simple technique will have you making a version of this sign for every season. If you need a rustic touch to any room of your home, this is the craft tutorial for you! Get that farmhouse look in minutes with this technique.
Supplies needed to make your own barnwood pallet sign: 
- Wood Stain in a dark color
- Craft Paint
- Blank Wood Pallet Sign
- Paint Brush
Start with the dark grey paint and a paint brush. Use a very dry brush and add the paint in the direction of the wood grain. The goal is not complete coverage but rather to add light and dark spots as shown below.
Repeat the process with the light grey paint.
Then repeat with the white paint. As you can see, there is still wood showing through the paint. This is what you want! NOTE: Because you are using a VERY dry brush the paint will dry in a matter of minutes.
Place stain over the entire surface, allow to sit a few seconds, then wipe away any excess.
Then repeat the dry brush technique with the three paints over the top of the stained surface. NOTE: Don’t forget about repeating this process on the edge of your surface.
Congrats! You now have a barnwood like surface that is ready for anything you want to paint on it! I added the word “FALL” in a scripted font in orange. You can choose your finishing touches now that you have learned how to make a barnwood pallet sign.
My finished pallet sign is below and is actually sitting on real barnwood in the image. My version is a shade lighter but overall a reasonable facsimile. This technique can be used on signs and more for adding to your farmhouse decor.
If you are painting a fall version for your home, you might want to learn how to make our baker’s twine pumpkins as well. They go perfectly in front of this pallet sign.
Use this technique for how to make a barnwood sign over and over again. You can make gorgeous farmhouse decor for every season. Once you get the hang of it, this process will be super simple and you can add it to any surface.
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Angie blogs at The Country Chic Cottage where you can find creative crafts, vintage finds, home decor, and DIY all with a little farmhouse flair. Angie has been blogging for over 2 years and is married with three kids. Stop by her blog where you will find everything from small, quick crafts to major furniture and home makeovers.
Did you sand the wood first or at any point in time? Or did you just use the raw wood? Since you kept it outside and I plan to also, what did you seal with to protect from rain, etc..
My husband has scrap wood hanging around and leftover stains, but I haven’t tried working with any of it, so I’m not sure what techniques would work best.
Thanks!
I love this project! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday!
Love the weathered look technique! nice welcoming sign. I love fall:-)
I love your aging technique and will need to give it a try. Cute sign, I love signs.
This is wonderful! Also, we just started the To Grandma’s House we go link party and I thought you might be interested in sharing there too, thanks 🙂
This is an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing.
Simple yet appealing. Great tutorial.
OH I just love this!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Cute sign! Perfect for your Fall display!
I am loving this simple but perfect sign for fall. I would like to invite you to link up with us at Family Joy Blog Link Up Party this week. Check us out
Thanks for sharing this technique! I have some old boards in the garage I’ve been keeping to make a sign with words on it and know I know how to give it the special barnwood look! You make it look so easy!